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Shocking Interlochen Sexual Abuse Report Names 47 Accused
Interlochen Arts Center Releases Report on Historical Sexual Abuse: What You Need to Know
What Happened?
Interlochen Center for the Arts—a famous arts camp and boarding school in Michigan—has released the full results of an independent investigation into decades of sexual misconduct involving students. The report covers allegations from the 1950s through the 2010s.
Important Point: This investigation was not started by the school on its own. It began after one person came forward in 2024 to report something that happened to them decades ago. The school then hired an outside law firm to look for other potential victims.
How the Investigation Worked
The Sanghavi Law Office conducted the investigation. Here is what they did:
- Hired in 2024 after an initial report from an alum.
- Conducted 180 interviews with former students and staff.
- Reviewed allegations spanning 60 years (1950s–2010s).
- Documented findings in a detailed public report.
Key Findings: The Numbers
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| 47 Individuals Accused | Adults affiliated with Interlochen accused of sexual conduct with students. |
| 17 Deceased | Over one-third of the accused have passed away. |
| 0 Currently Employed | None of the accused work at Interlochen today. |
| ~70 Firsthand Reports | Alumni shared direct experiences of abuse. |
| Most Abuse Pre-2000 | The vast majority of incidents occurred before the year 2000. |
What Kind of Abuse Was Reported?
The report describes a wide range of behaviors, including:
- Grooming and flirting
- Sexual comments
- Sexual touching
- Sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, oral)
- Long-term "relationships" between adults and students
Content Note: The report uses explicit terms to describe the acts reported by survivors. These are listed above to accurately reflect the investigation’s findings.
Where Did This Happen?
Survivors reported abuse happened almost everywhere—both on and off campus:
- Faculty houses (sometimes with other students present, sometimes alone)
- On-campus buildings and bathrooms
- Residence hall rooms
- Cars and during travel (school trips and non-school trips)
- A nearby lake
Who Were the Abusers?
The accused adults held many different roles at Interlochen:
- Arts faculty members
- Academic teachers (including visiting instructors)
- Residence life staff (dorm counselors)
- Donors and Trustees (board members)
- Campus visitors
The Impact on Survivors
The report describes the effects as "devastating." Survivors reported:
- Loss of interest in academics and arts
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) lasting decades
- Years of therapy
- Damaged personal relationships
- Disrupted career paths
- Giving up music/performing arts entirely
- Fear of returning to campus for reunions
The Jeffrey Epstein Connection
The investigation looked into Jeffrey Epstein (the convicted sex offender) who was a donor from 1990 to 2003.
- He funded scholarships and a named lodge.
- Six alumni spoke to investigators about him.
- Two reported sexual physical contact by Epstein on campus.
- Interlochen renamed the lodge in 2009 and demolished it in 2024.
- Police photographed the lodge before demolition for potential evidence.
Names Released by Interlochen
The law firm’s report keeps names confidential to protect survivors and police investigations. However, Interlochen chose to publicly name a few individuals who fit specific criteria: those already publicly charged, or deceased individuals with multiple, corroborated reports.
1. Individuals Criminally Convicted (During/After Interlochen Employment)
- Thomas Clower (Arts Faculty, 2003–2005): Convicted of criminal sexual conduct in 2005. Interlochen reported him, fired him, and he was convicted.
- Jeremy Eden (Camp Counselor, 1997–1998): Fired immediately when reports surfaced; convicted in 1998.
2. Individuals Convicted of Child Sexual Abuse Material (Unrelated to Interlochen Time)
All were fired immediately upon discovery.
- Tom Jalovec (Convicted 2007)
- Casey Fall (Convicted 2020)
- Jonathan Ciepiela (Convicted 2024)
3. Deceased Individuals with Multiple Corroborated Reports
- Byron Hanson (Faculty/Admin, 1960–2015): The initial subject of the investigation. 7 direct reports (1960s–70s) + multiple corroborating witnesses.
- John "Jack" Hood (Faculty/Admin, 1963–1979, seasonal until 2004): 4 direct reports.
- Charlie McWhorter (Trustee, 1970–1999): 2 direct reports + multiple corroborating witnesses. A residence hall (McWhorter House) still bears his name.
Important Point: The full list of all 47 accused names has been turned over to the Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Office and the County Prosecuting Attorney for legal review.
Why Did This Happen? (Contributing Factors)
The investigators identified systemic issues that allowed abuse to persist historically:
- Limited contact between students and families (no cell phones, limited phone access).
- Vulnerable students (young age, exploring sexual identity).
- Power imbalance: Adults had total authority over students’ art careers and daily lives.
- Easy access: Adults had unsupervised access to students in homes, cars, and dorms.
- Gaps in oversight: Few rules, little supervision, "permissive" culture.
- Barriers to reporting: Fear of retaliation, not being believed, or ruining career prospects.
What Is Interlochen Doing Now?
Interlochen President Trey Devey stated: "The abuse described in the report is heartbreaking and is contrary to everything Interlochen stands for… Interlochen will not tolerate predators or those who enable them."
Concrete Steps Announced:
- Formal Apology to those impacted.
- Dedicated Fund to pay for counseling/survivor therapy costs.
- Stronger Reporting Systems: Centralized administration and better tech for reporting/investigating.
- Expanded Education & Prevention for current students and staff.
- Review of Building Names: Removing honors from individuals whose conduct violated values (e.g., McWhorter House).
- Arts Installation: Creating a permanent memorial honoring survivors and the commitment to safety.
- Community Dialogue: Forums at the 2026 Academy Reunion and online.
Interlochen Today vs. The Past
The school emphasizes that today is a "very different institution." They highlight decades of progress:
- Enhanced safety policies & procedures.
- Mandatory training for all staff.
- Stronger oversight for both Academy (boarding school) and Camp programs.
- Ongoing commitment to evolve as best practices change.
Want to see current rules? Interlochen publishes its current safety protocols here: Safety at Interlochen
Summary
- Interlochen hired an outside firm to investigate historical sex abuse after a 2024 tip.
- 180 interviews revealed 47 accused individuals (1950s–2010s); none work there now.
- ~70 survivors described severe abuse (grooming to rape) in many locations by staff, donors, and trustees.
- Impacts were lifelong: PTSD, lost art careers, fear of campus.
- Jeffrey Epstein was a donor; two alums reported assault by him on campus. His lodge was demolished.
- Names of all accused given to police. Interlochen publicly named 6 men (3 convicted during employment, 3 deceased with multiple corroborated reports).
- Root causes identified: isolation, power dynamics, lack of oversight, reporting barriers.
- Response: Apology, therapy fund, policy overhaul, name reviews, survivor memorial, community forums.
- School says: "We are different now," citing modern safety standards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I still report something if I am a survivor?
Yes. The lead investigator, Elizabeth Sanghavi, is accepting reports directly until October 2026.
- Email:
elizabeth@sanghavilawoffice.com - Phone:
617-505-3010 - After Oct 2026: Contact Interlochen directly at
investigation@interlochen.org.
2. Were the police involved?
Yes. Interlochen has turned the complete list of 47 accused individuals over to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for criminal review.
3. Is my child safe at Interlochen Camp or Academy today?
The report states the vast majority of abuse occurred before 2000. Interlochen states they have implemented significant safety upgrades (background checks, training, centralized reporting, strict supervision ratios) over the last two decades. You can review their current protocols here.
4. Why did they name Charlie McWhorter if he was just a Trustee (not a teacher)?
The report defines "adults affiliated with Interlochen" broadly. Trustees had high status, access to campus, and authority. McWhorter had two direct survivor reports plus multiple corroborating witnesses. A dormitory (McWhorter House) is currently named after him; the school has committed to reviewing naming recognitions.
5. Why did they demolish the Epstein lodge?
The lodge was funded by Epstein and bore his name. Interlochen renamed it in 2009 (to Green Lake Lodge) and demolished it in 2024 to physically remove the association. They invited authorities to document the interior/exterior first for potential evidence.
